Byron Tau on the New U.S. Surveillance State
The 404 Media Podcast
00:00
The Shadowy World of Data Brokers and Government Surveillance
This chapter explores the hidden alliance between tech companies and the government in shaping an American surveillance state, focusing on the sale of location data, post-Snowden surveillance activities, and the use of mobile phone data by Pentagon-linked contractors. Byron Tao's investigation reveals the complex ecosystem of data collection, highlighting lesser-known companies that collect and sell data to government contractors, creating a clandestine world of data brokerage. The discussion also touches on the history of Babbel, Twitter's data licensing, the challenges of investigating the surveillance industry, and the impact of the Snowden revelations on global surveillance methods.
Transcript
Play full episode
